BY HEIDI
ULRICHSEN
Clare Andrews knows the power of being a girl, and she's intent
on sharing that knowledge with other young women.
The 17-year-old is one of a group of female Lo-Ellen Park
Secondary School students who will teach younger students about
preventing violence and building positive, healthy
relationships during the 10th annual YWCA Week Without
Violence, which runs Oct. 15-21.
With the help of YWCA staff, they will lead The Power of
Being a Girl workshops for female students in Grade 7 and 8 at
Lansdowne Public School, Oct. 17 and Copper Cliff Public
School, Oct. 19.  Grade 7 and 8 boys at the schools will
attend Cool Choices workshops.
Students will make anti-violence themed tote bags during the
presentations.
The young women, who have been studying information provided
by the YWCA about preventing violence, are also planning a
homeroom blitz at their own school. They will teach Grade 9
students what they've learned.
"A lot of these kids will probably have experienced violence
in one way or another - bullying for example," said Andrews.
"We're just going to let them know that they're not alone, and
it gets easier in high school because you'll meet people who
have the same interests as you."
The young woman said one of her friends is in a relationship
that she suspects is unhealthy.
"She hasn't realized herself that it's an unhealthy
relationship. We talked to her about it, and tried to explain
to her what we see. I think it's really helped her," she said.
"Young girls should learn about preventing relationship
violence because if you're not experiencing it yourself, you're
sure to know someone who is. If you know about it, you can
help."
The young woman's friend, Sophie Virtue, 17, said she's
involved in the project because it's important to encourage
girls to be themselves.
"They are equal to everyone in society. It's important for
them to do what they want to do and be what they want to be,"
she said. "Since I was young, it was really ingrained in me to
be everything that I could be. I really have a drive to do
that."
Violence is so common in our society that we don't even
recognize it anymore, said Virtue. "Calling someone a name is
seen as funny and not as violence."
Week Without Violence co-ordinator Pat Tobin said she's
extremely impressed with the young women who are helping out
with the workshops.
"When I first met these young women, I left the meeting
feeling very encouraged that young women can make a difference
and will make a difference," she said.
"I said to myself 'Wow, this is what we work for.' Young
women who are strong and confident and stand up and say no to
violence."
In large social groups like high schools, there's bound to
be conflict, bullying and even relationship violence, said Ruth
Reyno, a Lo-Ellen student success teacher assigned to helping
younger students make the transition to high school.
"The best way to prevent inter-gender violence is to have
girls who have the skills and the self-esteem to say I am not
going to allow myself to be victimized."
For more information, go to www.weekwithoutviolence.ca .
